"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg cover image

"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg

Latest episodes

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Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 1min

E53: Election Analysis, Heresy, and Real Estate

Dive into the intriguing world of evolving heretical ideas and their impact on politics. Discover the shifting dynamics within the American political landscape and the effects of social media on voter behavior. Explore the complexities of prediction markets and how real-time data influences election forecasts. Delve into the challenges posed by foreign investments in the U.S. housing market and viable solutions for affordability. Lastly, consider the potential of small social networks in the venture capital landscape.
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Oct 31, 2024 • 1h

E52: How Tech Journalism Works w/ Patrick McKenzie

Dive into the evolving world of tech journalism, where narratives shape perceptions of success and failure in Silicon Valley. Discover how media representations glamorize risk while failing to capture the harsh realities of entrepreneurship. Explore the pressures journalists face amid changing social dynamics and the shift towards a more adversarial stance. The conversation also debunks myths surrounding tech culture, highlighting the diverse experiences within the industry and the vital need for informed commentary on ethical issues.
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Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 4min

E51: Venture Scale, Y Combinator, and Financial Bubbles

Dive into the mechanics of financial bubbles and their complex impacts on markets. Explore how innovation drives collaboration and fuels groundbreaking advancements, with historical examples like Amazon. Imagine a future where cryptocurrency transforms daily transactions and cross-border commerce. Unpack the concept of venture scale and its importance for startups while discussing alternative financing options. Finally, examine how prediction markets could forecast electoral outcomes and the often-hidden influences of major traders in today's geopolitical landscape.
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Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 28min

E50: Freemium Apps, Restaurants, and Search with Patrick McKenzie

Explore the intriguing world of freemium apps and their monetization strategies, using gaming as a prime example. Delve into the evolving landscape of restaurant websites and how software accessibility has transformed the industry. Discover AI's role in gathering restaurant data and enhancing customer insights. Engage with the concept of humanized chatbots, pondering cognitive parallels with children. Finally, examine the waning quality of search engines like Google and how AI might reshape the future of information retrieval.
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Oct 10, 2024 • 1h

E49: AI Art, Young Founders, and Disrupting Higher Education

Dive into the evolving landscape of careers, where practical experience trumps traditional education. Explore the challenges young entrepreneurs face in a world dominated by established companies. Delve into the implications of currency and power, particularly the U.S. dollar's role in the global economy. Rethink higher education's approach to critical thinking and job readiness. Lastly, uncover Spotify's strategies for staying ahead in the competitive streaming market and the intricate issues surrounding AI art and property rights.
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Oct 3, 2024 • 57min

E48: Facebook vs MySpace, Why Peter Thiel is Wrong About Competition, and OpenAI Corporate Structure

Dive into the rivalry between Facebook and MySpace, uncovering why Facebook triumphed with its focus on real-life connections. Discover how OpenAI is evolving its business model and the delicate balance between profit and nonprofit goals. Delve into the complexities of the Chinese bond market and its impact on economic growth. Finally, explore the implications of AI on jobs and revenue models, alongside critiques of corporate buybacks in today's financial landscape.
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Sep 27, 2024 • 1h 2min

E47: Cult Stocks, Tech Media, and Technological Revolutions

Byrne Hobart, a cult stock expert, joins commentator Erik Torenberg to dive into the world of stocks like Tesla and Palantir, highlighting their cult-like followings. They tackle the more significant impacts of AI versus globalization on jobs and discuss the unexpected turn in the energy transition. The duo also critiques Forbes' shift in content strategy, emphasizing the balance between profitability and brand integrity. They wrap up by championing unique personal perspectives in media, urging listeners to value genuine insights over faceless reporting.
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Sep 19, 2024 • 57min

E46: Degrowth, Private Equity, and the EU Tech Industry

Dive into the challenges facing the EU tech sector compared to the US, with a focus on regulatory inefficiencies and the impact on innovation. Explore the transformation of private equity and its influence on market dynamics alongside historical macroeconomic events. Uncover the complexities of navigating online reputations, as individuals manage the pitfalls of a vast digital landscape. Each topic weaves together insights into economic divergence, organizational dynamics, and the ongoing quest for decarbonization.
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Sep 12, 2024 • 57min

E45: Efficient Market Hypothesis, Missing Billionaires, and Digital Currencies

Market efficiency takes center stage as the hosts dissect its evolution and the challenges of evaluating long-term investments. They delve into how tech firms balance short-term gains with innovations like self-driving technologies. The conversation shifts to corporate structures, suggesting that tech companies might thrive independently. The dynamics of modern currencies are explored, from the dominance of the dollar to digital spending in gaming. Lastly, Buffett's investment strategies prompt a discussion on risk and the evolution of investment management roles.
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Sep 6, 2024 • 1h 2min

E44: Founder Mode, Uber’s Self-Driving Strategy, and Big Tech Skepticism

The discussion dives into taxing unrealized capital gains, revealing the complexities of high net worth individuals' financial struggles. They explore the balance between concentrated and diversified investments while assessing risks, specifically within the tech sector. The conversation touches on Uber's strategy in autonomous vehicles and contrasts the U.S. and Chinese mortgage systems. Lastly, the hosts advocate for an assertive 'founder mode' mindset, highlighting its potential to drive innovation amid startup challenges.

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